Rebuilding Hope After a Natural Disaster Contributors

The writing team of Rebuilding Hope After a Natural Disaster: Pathways to Emotional Healing and Recovery includes a diverse group of tornado survivors, emotional health specialists, educators, community members and Heart of Illinois United Way staff. Special thanks are given to the many voices that guided the “real-life” strategies.

Rebuilding Hope Committee

Andrea Bowers, Washington, Illinois Tornado SurvivorAndrea is an early childhood educator. She serves on the Success by 6 Leadership Committee for the Heart of Illinois United Way.

Corey Campbell, Peoria, Illinois Project Manager/Human Service CenterCorey is a licensed clinical social worker. He oversees the Mobile Wellness and Recovery Project at Human Service Center in Peoria, Illinois.

Tegan Hewitt, Peoria, Illinois Director of Behavioral Health Services/Children’s HomeTegan is a licensed clinical professional counselor. She teaches psychology at Illinois Central College and serves as Director of Behavioral Health at The Children’s Home in Peoria, Illinois.

Nancy Hinnen, Peoria, Illinois Tornado Relief Project Coordinator, Success By 6 Coordinator/Heart of Illinois United WayNancy is an educator who coordinates early learning math and social-emotional-behavioral health initiatives for Success By 6, Heart of Illinois United Way.

Kevin McClure, Peoria, Illinois President and Clinical Director, AEON Social Emotional HealthKevin’s work within the educational system and children’s mental health community during the last decade has included learning alongside clients the supports needed to survive and overcome life’s challenges.

Tricia O’Neal, Pekin, Illinois Director of Clinical Services, Tazwood Center for WellnessTricia is a licensed clinical professional counselor with experience providing mental health services to children, adolescents, and adults in both the office and school setting. She supervises the outpatient mental health programs at Tazwood Center for Wellness.

Gail Owen, Tazewell County, Illinois Tazewell County Regional Superintendent of SchoolsGail is a life-long educator having taught elementary, middle school, high school and at the university levels. Serving as the Regional Superintendent of Schools for the County places Gail in a unique position to assist school districts and community partnerships to address specific needs and enhance quality of life for all residents.

Pam Tomka, Washington, Illinois Retired Director/Washington District LibraryPam is a community volunteer for several organizations, including Heart of Illinois United Way. Recently retired, she has served as a librarian for 30 years.

Special thanks to Andrea Bowers, Rob Brown, Marilyn Gee, Dan Learned, Brenda Smith, and the following students and families of Tazewell County for opening our eyes and hearts to the emotional journey of tornado survivors:

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About Heart of Illinois

The Heart of Illinois United Way brings together people from business, labor, government, health and human services to address community needs in Marshall, Peoria, Putnam, Stark, Tazewell & Woodford Counties in Illinois.